The key gauge of the state of the economy remained below the boom-or-bust line of 50 percent in November for the 11th straight month due to persistently weak production and severe unemployment, the government said Wednesday in a preliminary report.

The coincident index, designed to measure the current state of the economy, was 11.1 percent in the reporting month, following a revised zero percent in October, the Cabinet Office said.

A reading under 50 percent is considered a sign of economic contraction and a figure above that is viewed as a sign of expansion.